Cels (The Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences Ltd) is partly funded by the Regional Development Agency One North East to drive the growth of the healthcare and life sciences economy of North East England.

Cels is committed to developing scientific enterprise through the development and commercialisation of new technology, innovations and the exploitation of new and emerging market opportunities.

Cels drives growth in four main ways:

• By building and managing first-class business and research infrastructure
• By placing the region on the world stage through internationally recognised networks
• By managing emerging technology and stimulating the formation of new business ventures
• By offering business start-ups management and financial assistance.

In order to achieve this, Cels works in close partnership with the North East's regional , associated research institutes, healthcare and life science companies and public sector organisations.

CELS builds on the key research and technology strengths found in the region's universities, in the NHS and in industry: